The Executioner

Sixty-Four

Hunter exited Parker Center, the eight-story building that housed the RHD offices in North Los Angeles Street, and turned left towards the large parking lot, Garcia right behind him. Before reaching the cars, though, he turned right in the direction of East First Street.

‘Where’re you going?’ Garcia asked, his car keys at the ready. ‘The car is right over there.’ He pointed to his spotlessly clean metallic-blue Honda Civic parked at the north end of the lot.

Hunter disregarded the question and hurried his step, crossing to the other side of the road. Garcia had to wait for a gap in traffic before dashing across to join his partner.

‘Are we going somewhere in particular or are we just playing follow the leader here?’

‘Starbucks.’

‘You mysteriously rushed out of the office to get a coffee?’ Garcia joked, waiting for the real answer.

‘We’re meeting someone,’ Hunter said as they turned the corner.

There were a few dark clouds hovering over them; though the unmistakable smell of wet soil filled the air, rain hadn’t started yet. A crisp cold wind made sure that the many tables in the European-style square that fronted the coffee shop were empty. All but one. Garcia spotted her first.

‘Is that the Monica or Mollie girl?’

Hunter nodded. ‘She was the one who called me a minute ago,’ he explained.

Garcia slowed his step. ‘Shouldn’t we have told the captain?’ he asked, uncertain. ‘Doesn’t she want this to go by the book?’

Hunter nodded but didn’t break stride.

‘How’s this telling the captain?’ Garcia whispered before rushing after Hunter.

They approached the small table at the far end of the square. The brunette girl didn’t notice them until they were right beside her.

‘Hello,’ Hunter said in a kind voice, offering her his warmest smile.

She looked up and both detectives did a double take. Her brown hair was neatly pulled back into a ponytail. Her delicate makeup expertly highlighted her impressive brown eyes, adding maturity and a charming sparkle to her face that wasn’t there the first time they met. The scar on her fleshy lips was barely noticeable. Her shabby clothes were also gone, substituted by a white T-shirt with a cropped black jacket, faded blue jeans and black cowboy boots. She looked totally different.

‘Thanks for calling. I really appreciate you getting in contact with us again.’

She returned the smile, but hers had a nervous edge to it. Hunter noticed that the cup of coffee on the table was empty. ‘Let me get you another one,’ he offered. ‘What’re you having?’

‘Hot chocolate.’

‘I’ll have an espresso,’ Hunter said, facing Garcia, who hesitated for a moment before shaking his head and making towards the shop.

Hunter took the seat across the table from the girl and zipped up his jacket. ‘Aren’t you a little cold sitting out here?’

She shook her head.

Hunter crossed his arms over his chest in a tight hug. ‘I’m freezing.’

She pulled a face and he cringed.

‘Wow, I just sounded like a big girl then, didn’t I?’ He chuckled. ‘That’s what you get when you live in a hot place all your life. As soon as the temperature drops under fifty-nine, we’re covering ourselves with the thickest coats we can find.’

Garcia returned with the coffees and the hot chocolate. ‘Are you sure you wanna stay out here?’ He shuddered, nodding towards the coffee shop. ‘It’s nice and warm in there.’

‘See what I mean?’ Hunter smiled.

‘Did I say something funny?’ he asked, handing the girl her drink.

‘Carlos here was born in Brazil. He moved to LA when he was just a kid. This is arctic temperature for him.’ Hunter tried to break the tension.

Garcia frowned as he took his seat. ‘What, you don’t think it’s cold?’ The question was directed at Monica.

‘Good God, don’t ever go to Pennsylvania if you think this is cold.’ As soon as those words left her lips, her face tightened and she looked away nervously.

‘It’s OK,’ Garcia said in a comforting tone. ‘If it’s any consolation, Robert already knew where you were from, from your accent.’

She threw Hunter a questioning look. ‘Really?’

‘Pennsylvania Dutch, right?’ he said matter-of-factly.

‘He’s full of those little tricks,’ Garcia noted. ‘That’s why he’s not invited to many parties.’

She smiled. The double icebreaker was working. Hunter saw her shoulders relax and she let go of the breath she’d been holding since they arrived.

‘You’re right. I’m from Pennsylvania.’ She looked from Hunter to Garcia and paused for a moment. Without being asked to, she decided to start at the beginning.